Picture Book Elements

I've been having a blast writing my picture books ideas. Even purchased myself a brightly-colored notebook, which I entitled - PBs Beyond the Stars. Thanks to Author Tara Lazar and her brilliant PiBoIdMo, I was able to formulate over 40 new PB ideas last year and I'm well into the game this year at 15 new ideas in 9 days.

Now I know some of you are not PB writers. But give what I write next some thought. Writing a picture book forces the author to plot, develop characters, and structure a story in probably the most concise way he/she ever has. Even if you've never given thought to writing a PB, it can be great practice in teaching your brain to filter out the details of your short story, chapter book, or full-length novel, to develop sharp and intense scenes, and maintain a steady pace. Not to mention, borrowing the mindset of a PB author just might help in writing your pitch, query, and synopsis for your longer works.

During this part of my writing adventure, I've had amazing guidance from some pubbed-up and/or highly-talented picture book authors. (Hi!! Jo Hart, Catherine Johnson, Sharon Mayhew, Laura Chesterson, & Kelly Hashway.)  For the most part, there seems to be collective thoughts among PB authors--essentials in writing picture books.

1. - Repetition. Children learn by simple repeats. And eventually, as the book is read over and over to them, they'll be able to read/sing along.

2. - The Rule of Three. Adding to #1, repetitions in threes flow best and tend to stick with the reader. Children like patterns, and patterns are a simple way to reinforce an idea or concept.

3. - Symmetric in Rhyming. Beats are important. If you do rhyme, which is not my strong point, you probably already know if 9 beats are used in one line and 10 in the next, you want to keep the pattern going. As long as there is continuity in thoughts and rhythm, you're probably okay.

4. - Cause & Effect. Just as in full length novels, something must happen and a result must be shown.

5. - Simple use of language. Choose words wisely and don't be afraid to revise and edit them to find the exact word to communicate your message. In PBs, the words aren't elaborate. Just effective.

6. - Plots down to two characters. More are okay. Just make sure they're not distracting. If their presence isn't necessary, you might want to think about axing them.

7. - Leave most description in the hands of the eventual illustrator. In other words, don't over describe or even use description as you would do in a YA or MG novel. Pictures have a major purpose in playing out and showing the development of a picture book story as well as a little person's mind.

8. - Create a mental picture while writing each line. Ask yourself questions. What could this look like, and who's eyes is it seen through? That last part is so important. Which character (or narrator) sees this story and how will that bee seen from the eyes of the child reading the book?

PLEASE add to my list and/or elaborate on any subject. I'm looking to write up a log and have it permanently linked to the blog to help other writers.


Small side splat: I'll be away next week with the hubs. We'll be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary alone, without the 4 kiddos. Weird. I'll miss you all!! But could you do me one favor? On Monday & Tuesday I'm highlighting Jessica Bell's amazing STRING BRIDGE book. Could you stop by to support her? Maybe tweet for her too? TY!!


~Hearts~ 

Flour to Kneed Characterization

 Don't be afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small jobs.  Every time you conquer one it makes you that much stronger.  If you do the little jobs well, the big ones will tend to take care of themselves.  ~Dale Carnegie ~

Behind every great character is their past. What made them who they are at the moment you open the front cover of their story. I'm talking about behind the backstory, molding experiences not included in the actual manuscript. And as much as I'd planned on exploring this topic in a series beginning today, it will have to wait until next Tuesday. But there is purpose in using this lead for today's post.

Most of you know I'm a major ice hockey fan, that my dad coached for years, and that three of my four children currently still play. I've spent most of my childhood and now adulthood in an ice rink--part of my backstory. So it should come as no surprised that I was glued to the TV on Wednesday night watching the Boston Bruins play Game 7 against the Vancouver Canucks for the Stanley Cup Championship.

I tip my hat to the Bruins, who are 2011 Stanley Cup Champions!! 

Credit for photo

This team's journey took them through an entire season of ups and downs, three game 7 series, and finally to winning the coveted crown of Stanley Cup Champions. Each played a part, moving them forward in their story. Every element of your character's backstory is designed to serve the same purpose. If one part doesn't do it's job or is muddled, the ultimate goal can't be accomplished. For the Boston Bruins, that goal was winning the Stanley Cup. For you as a writer, it's crafting irresistible characters as rich on the inside as on the outside. A writer can begin stacking the odds in their favor of achieving that goal even before the character starts breathing on the page--and that's behind the backstory.

So I leave you with the quote above and this brief post to ponder. Apply it to yourselves as writers and also to your characters. You are both valuable and worth it. 

(I'll be in NYC & Atlantic City next week with the hubs for a conference he must attend. I'll try my best to pay you visits and continue working. Enjoy your weekend!!)    

Subplots as Children

This is rather random, but I was thinking this morning how much plotting and sub-plotting is like motherhood. We have the marriage--usually consisting of the protagonist and his/her issue; then we have the pregnancy--multiplication of issues or the 'Door of No Return' as awesome author James Scott Bell and writer of Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure calls it. This then inevitably leads us to a child or children--our subplots.

Subplots can be as varied and vast as the number of children in a family. They can consist of diverse personalities, depth, and focus. Each can have his/her own roadway, branching off from the trunk just a tad or causing a great chasm in the plot--family. Minute threads of information can bead across one subplot, tugging on the main plot all while giving the reader a different view of the initial issue from the protagonist--discussions between mother/parent and child. The view is amazing, but sometimes limited depending on the person you decide to write in.

(Little note about person: Third person close is my personal favorite. It gives me the freedom to dive more publicly into my main characters head, but the liberty to share some views from supportive characters as well. I do really like first person, too; it's just more limiting.)

With multiple sub-plots--children--we can delve into many topics, some more subtly then others. Usually, there's one or two that stand out and thumb us in the face--just like children. Our focus veers toward those, yet is never fully taken off the other children--subplots. They, as the wallflowers, are as important and needy as the troublemakers or stone throwers.

All structure the story.

Subplots are a great way to paint borders, faint applique, or timid emotions in the background of our stories; whether fictional or nonfiction, this applies. Just like motherhood, our stories are colored by innumerable instances, experiences, opinions, and even a few little shop of horrors. (For those who haven't joined me on Facebook yet--& I'd love it if you would--I experienced a little shop of horror this morning. Here's my status: You Do The Math:6 yr old pucker hits carpeted stairs, then toilet + 11 yr old up-chucker who spews all over wooden floor, couch, chair, and any other surface she could find + sniffling, sneezing, ticked off 16 yr old who has to play in a varsity hockey game tonight = ?) Oh, and the 13 yr old is glued to the XBox--my background branch/subplot at the moment.

Yeah, you can laugh; it's okay. What was your latest little shop of horror? Fiction or nonfiction?